Today we’d like to introduce you to Anthony Kenny.
Anthony, can you briefly walk us through your story – how you started and how you got to where you are today.
The Harvard Shop originally opened in 1983 but as the founder neared his retirement in 2001, he handed off the store to the Harvard Student Agencies. Harvard Student Agencies (HSA), the largest student run company in the world, was founded in 1957 on the ideal of financing education through student employment. 17 years later, The Harvard Shop is the largest of the 15 agencies under Harvard Student Agencies, with 3 store locations and an online store that sends products around the world. We sell Harvard apparel, souvenirs and gifts. The Harvard Shop is run by a team of 12 student managers, who are currently undergraduates and taking classes and living at Harvard, who all have specific management roles for that fiscal year and have a staff of over 100 stock, web and sales personnel. The managers work to transition and train the next year of student managers.
Overall, has it been relatively smooth? If not, what were some of the struggles along the way?
The biggest challenges for the Harvard Shop all stem from the fact that our entire management team transitions every year. Not losing any institutional memory and making sure new managers get completely trained during the Fall semester is a tough job! Due to this, it’s challenging for The Harvard Shop to maintain a consistent identity. This year, we’ve really done a big push to increase our campus presence and designed products and events aimed at current students. We believe our other customers like alumni, parents and tourists value products that are consistent with our mission of for students, by students.
The Harvard Shop – what should we know? What do you guys do best? What sets you apart from the competition?
At The Harvard Shop, we believe it is not just about the Harvard paraphernalia, it’s about the process behind the products and experience you get at our stores. Each product was selected and designed by students, ordered and shelved by students. All of our stores are staffed with current Harvard students and customers enjoy talking to them about life on campus, classes, etc. We’re part of the largest student run company in the world – not only do we take our jobs and this business seriously, but also embrace our innovative, inspired and fun side as students.
What’s the proudest moment of your career?
The proudest moment of my career would be during Harvard’s Commencement Ceremony last Spring. The Harvard Shop had set up a pop up shop near the proceedings and we had the whole team working outside in the rain for two full days. It was great to see the smiles we could put on the faces of so many graduating seniors and their parents as they walked out of the yard one last time with something to remember their time here by. We also had so many graduating seniors who had worked for The Harvard Shop or Harvard Student Agencies come and talk to us. The common theme was how much they valued their time being part of the HSA family.
Contact Info:
- Address: 65 Mt Auburn Street, Cambridge, MA 02138
- Website: www.harvardshop.com
- Phone: (617) 714-5007
- Email: thsorders@hsa.net
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